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Darkness Wakes

Name: Darkness Wakes
Director: Simon Richardson
Released: 2017
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

1.7/10

Minimal

2017

TV-14

Director

Simon Richardson

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Darkness Wakes is a traditional horror film that prioritizes atmospheric tension and genre clichés over social interrogation. The narrative relies on established suspense mechanics rather than challenging social hierarchies. The film lacks intentionality regarding identity politics or multi-layered themes. It focuses on a singular protagonist's struggle within a remote, high-stakes environment, adhering to conventional horror clichés. Ultimately, the creative direction favors visceral genre elements over progressive narrative subversion or the deconstruction of traditional roles.

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Category Breakdown

Does Darkness Wakes have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. There is no queer-coded subtext or representation of diverse sexual orientations.

How does Darkness Wakes portray gender?

Fair

Charlotte is a central female character who drives the plot, but the story relies on traditional 'vulnerable survivor' archetypes common in horror films.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Darkness Wakes?

Limited

The film presents a homogeneous, Western-centric setting with no indication of diverse ethnic representation or multi-layered casting.

How does Darkness Wakes represent religion and culture?

Limited

The plot uses class disparity as a suspense device without critiquing Western institutions. It follows standard survival thriller conventions without addressing religious or secular themes.

Does Darkness Wakes include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The focus remains on physical survival and psychological isolation.

Present on Screen

The film features a central female protagonist, Charlotte, who drives the immediate plot through her survival instincts.

Limited or Absent

The narrative relies heavily on traditional 'damsel in distress' archetypes and lacks diverse character representation.
The film fails to engage with multi-layered themes or challenge existing social and cultural hierarchies.
There is a lack of racial, cultural, and disability representation throughout the story.

Official Synopsis

When Charlotte - a beautiful, broke student - is offered a job cat-sitting in a vast Georgian manor house over a long weekend, at £200 per night, she can't believe her luck, but her employers are far from being the harmless eccentrics that they appear to be.

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